Red Sox ace was scratched from his start against the Angels with a bit of neck pain. If it could actually keep Josh Beckett out of a scheduled start, then it must have been a lot of neck pain. Without Beckett, righty David Pauley started in a pinch and lasted 4 1/3 innings after allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks. He did not factor into the decision, however.

Jacoby Ellsbury was the big story in this one, going 3-5 with two home runs (his first-career multi-HR game) to help lead the Sox back from a 5-1 defecit. He also scored the game-winning run in the eighth on Dustin Pedroia’s third double of the game. Pedroia finished 4-5 overall.

Pauley’s counterpart, Jered Weaver, allowed five runs on ten hits in five innings. He allowed three of them in the fifth inning, two coming on a HR from Kevin Youkilis. Instead of capitalizing on the young Pauley’s rough start, Weaver continued to get bashed all over the place. Ten hits allowed in five innings is a lot!

Overall, the Sox continue to be the hottest team in baseball. They’ve now won six in a row, and ten of their last eleven games overall. At 15-7, the Red Sox are on top of the AL East. Last season, the Sox led the East for most of the season despite a few surges from the Yankees. We will see if the Sox can hold onto it this year as well. Their offense seems stronger with an older Ellsbury and a hot Manny Ramirez.

Game Notes:

Jason Varitek missed another game as he battles the flu.

Manny Delcarmen was sent home as he battles the flu as well. Uh oh…

Seven of the nine Sox in the starting lineup entered the game batting over .300. David Ortiz (.181) and Kevin Cash (.227) were the only ones under that average.